Limerick County General Election 2024 updates: Niall Collins claims ...
Seats filled: 3
Niall Collins has claims the third and final seat in the constituency
2:10am: Niall Collins has claimed the third and final seat in the county constituency and roars of Olé Olé echoed throughout a sleepy Limerick Racecourse to energise the staff, candidates, supporters – and journalists - for their drives home.
Patrick O’Donovan (Fine Gael), Richard O’Donoghue (Independent Ireland), and Niall Collins (Fianna Fáil) are officially deemed elected.
1:30am: After count 12, Bridie Collins has been eliminated. A hefty proportion of her 2,096 votes are expected to be given to her fellow party member, Niall Collins.
The Deputy Returning Officer, Kieran Lehane has stated that the count will be continuing until the end tonight (this morning).
12:15am: Good morning! As the county count continues, Niall Collins is edging closer to election, with 1,586 votes to go until his win.
Joanne Collins is unlikely to win her first term for Sinn Féin but managed to achieve a respectable 6,899 votes.
Michael Ryan has been excluded in this tenth count, and his 1,647 votes will now be shared out.
Richard O’Donoghue has claimed the second of three seats up for grabs
11:30pm: At long last, Richard O’Donoghue has claimed the second of three seats up for grabs. Niall Collins is likely to get re-elected.
Rob O’Donnell has now been eliminated. His 1,120 votes will be redistributed as the count continues.
10:45pm: Count eight sees another Independent candidate fall. Jim Barrett’s 1,070 votes are to be redistributed and Richard O’Donoghue could soon see re-election as a result.
10:30pm: Count seven sees Independent Richie Crehan eliminated as Laura Fahy’s 478-vote surplus was redistributed.
10pm: Count six saw People Before Profit-Solidarity candidate Laura Fahy eliminated. The Courtbrack candidate had a healthy election run despite little campaigning. Her 478 votes will now be distributed.
9:45pm: Another one bites the dust as Lorraine O’Sullivan is eliminated from count five. After Gerben Uunk’s 277 transferable votes, Rob O’Donnell (Green Party) saw the majority of the surplus (+56) while Richard O’Donoghue is still slowly clawing towards his seat.
9:10pm: Like sands through the hourglass, so are the days of our lives. No TD for Limerick county again this count. Richard O’Donoghue edges closer to the finish line, but it will be another while before any election.
Gerben Uunk (Party for Animal Welfare) has been eliminated this count. His 277 votes will now be redistributed.
8:45pm: The third count for Limerick county again saw no TD elected. April Sheehan Corkery’s 82-vote surplus was redistributed and according to the math wizards here at Limerick Racecourse, Richard O’Donoghue is still 794 votes from his seat (10,591).
Women’s rights advocate Natasha O’Brien has hinted at an interest in a political career
8:10pm: The second count in Limerick county reaped no TD as Patrick O’Donovan’s 178 surplus votes were distributed. Richard O’Donoghue looks likely to be elected within the next two counts. April Sheehan Corkery has been eliminated, and her 82 vote total will now be redistributed.
7:45pm: The second count for Limerick county is – apparently – due to take place in 30 minutes.
5:30pm: Patrick O’Donovan has been elected in Limerick county after what he calls a “marathon campaign.” He will soon see his fourth term in Dáil Éireann.
4.45pm: The first count was due to be announced for Limerick county at 3:30pm, and then 4pm. All hopeful elects are present and awaiting the first call.
Tallies indicate first major wins and casualties in tight race
4:10pm: Looking likely to achieve a seat in Limerick county, Niall Collins (Fianna Fáil) said: “Limerick county is a three-seat constituency, and these are the hardest constituencies ever to be elected in and to be returned in,” he said.
“It enthuses me to keep my active interest in politics and helping people.”
Looking to the future, Fianna Fáil aim to address pressing issues such as housing shortages and the rising cost of living.
“Building more houses, improving our health service, and ensuring continued economic growth will be priorities,” he said.
12:50pm: As 100% of the Limerick county constituency boxes have been tallied. Those making gains are Patrick O’Donovan (11,454 votes), Richard O’Donoghue (10,211 votes),and Niall Collins (8,951).
Joanne Collins, the only woman running for Sinn Féin in the city or county, is not looking too healthy with 5,883 votes.
12pm: As tallies in Limerick county continue, Richard O’Donoghue (8,195), Patrick O’Donovan (8,181 votes), and Niall Collins (7,238) are still ahead.
Joanne Collins (Sinn Féin) is also polling well, with 4,558 votes.
10.30am – Boxes have been opened and tallies are underway in the Limerick county constituency.
The unofficial quarter tally has been released and after 25% of the 145 boxes have been opened, the polls reveal some early indications.
Richard O’Donoghue (Independent Ireland) is currently in the lead with 2,469 first preference votes, with Niall Collins (Fianna Fáil) and Patrick O’Donovan (Fine Gael) in second and third place, with 2,236 and 1,978 votes, respectively.
Nothing is certain yet, as candidates begin to join us at the count centre here in Limerick Racecourse, Patrickswell.
